Admittedly there are a few categories still missing from our Women’s Health section like “Antonio Banderas Movies” and “Spa Getaways.” They always make me feel better! But in the meantime, we’ve assembled a few dietary supplements that are worth considering.

Experts say that cardiovascular health is at the top of the list as far as women’s health concerns go, with bone health following closely behind. However, because we have sections on our website dedicated to each of these concerns, we did not include them under Women’s Health. Instead we focused on topics that really are unique to women or predominantly women’s issues.

What’s with the fish oil? If you haven’t already noticed, one supplement that shows up again, and again, and again in many of the categories is omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs), particularly DHA. Be assured that we’re not overstocked and trying to get rid of it. It’s really that important! Essential Fatty Acids are exactly what the name implies—essential in the diet because our bodies don’t make them. Wild, coldwater fish like salmon and trout are the best dietary sources of them. So, have you eaten salmon or trout yet this week (just wondering)? We also obtain an omega-3 fatty acid called alpha linolenic acid from flaxseeds and walnuts, and some of it will be converted to DHA in the body. The importance of omega-3 EFAs begins in the womb, and all health experts agree that they’re imperative for optimal brain growth and development in both fetuses and infants. They’ll continue to play an important role throughout our whole life, too. When levels of omega-3 EFAs are high, the appearance of the skin remains firm and youthful even as we age. That same good effect extends right down into our inward parts including the heart and the lungs. Another invaluable and astonishing benefit of omega-3 EFAs is their ability to support mood stability! Yet, it shouldn’t surprise us at all because essential fatty acids make up the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane, which is critical in the proper functioning of the nerve cells of our brains. What should surprise us is why we ever agreed to the radical no-fat diets of the past few decades! They were harming everything about us, but we were going to wear a size 2 if it was the last thing we did. Tragically, for a few unfortunate women it was! Omega-3 EFAs and the Omega-6 EFA called GLA (gamma linolenic acid) also work wonders to help with symptoms of PMS; you have to try them to believe them. We can’t even begin to cover everything that this class of nutrients does health-wise. If you’re not currently taking an omega-3 supplement, do yourself a huge favor and start today!

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The number of supplement entries under “Intestinal Balance” may surprise you, but this category is a growing concern for lots of women, and it affects us in ways we don’t realize. Many factors contribute to it, and chief among them is consumption of sugar on a daily basis. Sugar is almost impossible to avoid, though, as it shows up in practically everything. Besides, how could anything that contributes a part of its sales to protect endangered wildlife as does a well-known chocolate bar company, be so bad? Three days later, we know we’ve been duped again! The black rhino will have to make it without us. Once again we resolutely swear off sugar, this time for good (sound familiar?), and reach for the number one food for intestinal balance—yogurt. It’s a good choice if it’s made right, since yogurt is brimming with probiotics like lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria that provide protection against the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestine. The problem is, most commercial yogurts are a contradiction to intestinal balance. With 27 grams of sugar per 6 ounce serving, they’re feeding the enemy! When the goal is intestinal balance, fruit yogurt is an oxymoron, so watch out for yummy sounding names like “White Chocolate Raspberry.” A much better choice is a lactobacillus acidophilus supplement. It provides ample amounts of good bacteria with no sugar whatsoever, not even lactose. You can add significant strength to your probiotic choice by combining it with olive leaf extract, a proven herb for intestinal health. To read more about this topic we recommend The Yeast Connection Handbook (item BK091).

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Change is good, and the senior years can be the best time of one’s life, and they don’t necessarily have to be rudely interrupted by hot flashes, mood swings and other menopausal disturbances. These symptoms are characteristic of shifting levels of the hormone estrogen. One way to counter them is simply to supply dietary supplements that provide plant-based estrogens (phytoestrogens) that mimic the real thing in our bodies, only at a fraction of the strength. Phytoestrogens are found in black cohosh, red clover, the isoflavones in soy and the lignans in flaxseed. Black cohosh is perhaps the best known of these four supplements for menopause, but they all have merit. As with most supplements, some work better than others for an individual, and the trial-and-error method may be the only way to effectively choose the one that’s right for you. We also offer combination supplements that include two or more of the aforementioned phytoestrogens, and this may be an easier option than selecting just one. One of our best-selling products for menopause is Swanson Menopause Essentials, which provides 30 mg of standardized black cohosh extract with support from 150 mg of damiana, a known libido enhancer in women. You go girl!

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